Water, Endangered Ecosystem: Assessment of Chemical Pollution
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 118, Issue 4
Abstract
The pervasive nature of water and its accessibility to mankind leave it open to a variety of civilization‐induced changes ranging from diversion of water flows to heavy‐metals pollution. The abuses of the last 100 years have led to problems with water quality and quantity. The consequences may not be apparent for some time, and cause and effect may be difficult to identify, due to the large distances involved. Exploratory multidisciplinary research on comparative toxicology, the cycles of energy and nutrients in ecological communities, and the impact of chemicals and other stresses upon structure and species distribution frequency can eventually yield criteria that permit the establishment of no adverse effect tolerance levels for substances nonindigenous to natural systems. The maintenance of resilient ecosystems with a sufficient diversity of organisms is a prerequisite for the well‐being and health of humans.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 118 • Issue 4 • July 1992
Pages: 466 - 476
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 ASCE.
History
Published online: Jul 1, 1992
Published in print: Jul 1992
Authors
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